$5.7 Million Recreational Trail Grant Largest Award in Program’s History

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Thursday approved $5.7 million in federal grants for 33 recreational trail projects across the state. This is the largest amount of grant funds awarded from the Recreational Trail Grant Program in the 20-year history of the program in Texas. Seventy-two project proposals were submitted requesting almost $12 million in funding assistance.

The National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) comes from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by gasoline purchases to utilize off-road motorcycles and four-wheelers. The purpose of the NRTF is to create new, or improve existing, recreational trails.

A requirement of the NRTF is that 30 percent of the total funds must be spent on motorized recreational trails, 30 percent on non-motorized trail projects and the remaining 40 percent is discretionary.

Motorized trails project sponsors that were awarded funding include the city of Childress, the city of McAllen, Schertz Seguin Local Government Corp., Sam Houston National Forest and the White River Municipal Water District.

The city of Childress in Childress County was granted $165,280 for ATV and Moto Park improvements that include a new 10 mile trail, staging area, unloading ramp, tools, and erosion control.

The White River Municipal Water District in Crosby County was granted $500,000 for the White River multi-use trail system. The funded project will include a new 15 mile motorized trail, 10 miles of trail that will be renovated, a restroom, fencing and equipment.

The Schertz Seguin Local Government Corporation in Guadalupe County was granted $400,000 for the SSLGC Motorized Trail which will include a new 35 mile motorized trail, restroom, staging area, signs and an entry booth.

The city of McAllen in Hidalgo County was awarded $218,400 for the McAllen Motocross Park. The funds will be used for a new 2.5 mile motorized riding area, restroom, fencing and signs.

The Sam Houston National Forest in Walker County was awarded $476,000 for multi-use trail rehabilitation that will include a 10 mile dirt trail that will be renovated, bridges, a trailer and training.

The non-motorized trail projects awarded funding are listed in alphabetical order by county below:

The San Antonio River Authority in Bexar County was granted $150,000 to fund the Helton-San Antonio River Park Trail. The funds will assist in the creation of a new 1.2 mile granite/concrete trail.

The city of Universal City in Bexar County was awarded $117,600 to go toward the Cibolo Creek Recreation and Nature trail. The funds will be used for a new .6 mile granite trail, renovation of a 2.7 mile trail and signs.

Bowie County will receive $158,400 to fund the Northeast Texas Trail project that will convert 2.1 miles of an abandoned rail corridor into trail.

The city of Pearland in Brazoria County will receive $200,000 to fund the Phase II Connectivity Trail. The grant money will help create a new 2.75 mile concrete trail.

The city of La Feria in Cameron County will receive $200,000 to go toward the creation of the Arroyo Colorado Overlook Point Trail. The funds will be used to create a new 2.3 mile asphalt trail, parking area and install signs.

The city of Wylie in Collin County will receive $200,000 to fund the Municipal Complex Trails. The project will include a new .95 mile concrete trail, bridge, benches and signs.

The city of New Braunfels in Comal County will receive $200,000 toward the Fisher Park Trails to add a new 2.5 mile concrete trail, signs, a shade structure and a boardwalk.

The National Audubon Society in Dallas County was granted $74,880 to fund the Trinity River Audubon Center Trail project that will add a new mile-long dirt trail, signs and a boardwalk.

The city of Denton in Denton County was awarded $199,613 that will go toward the CCNHC-Davis Trailhead and Trail. Improvements to be included in the project are a new 1.3 mile dirt trail and elevated walkway.

The city of Stephenville in Erath County was granted $141,600 to fund the City Park North Trail Link. The funds will be used to create a new .4 mile concrete trail, benches, trash cans, and parking.

The Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No.146 was granted $164,394 to create a new 1.4 mile concrete trail, benches, and signs at the Oyster Creek Hike and Bike Trail.

The city of Kilgore in Gregg County was granted $195,787 toward the Kilgore Recreational Trail. The project includes a new 1.25 mile concrete trail, a bridge, benches, signs and trash cans.

Harris County was granted $200,000 to fund the Anderson Trail project. The grant money will help create a new .8 mile asphalt trail and erect signs.

The city of Seabrook in Harris County will receive $156,800 to fund the Seabrook to Armand Bayou Trail. The grant money will help create a new 1.3 mile granite trail that will connect the city to the nature center.

The city of San Marcos in Hays County was awarded $92,375 for a new 1.4 mile granite trail and parking extension to Purgatory Creek Natural Area Trails.

The Friends of Trinity River Refuge in Liberty County was granted $45,000 for the creation of a new that will link the City of Liberty to the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge.

The Sam Houston Trails Coalition, Inc. in Montgomery County was granted $200,000 for the Richards-Raven Trail Network Phase 2 project which will add a new 10 mile equestrian trail to the Sam Houston National Forest.

The city of Emory in Rains County will receive $143,710 to go toward the Emory Recreational Trail project which will create a new .5 mile asphalt trail, parking area and a bridge.

The city of Lindale in Smith County was granted $145,860 for the creation of .65 mile of concrete trail, restroom and bridge.

The city of Tulia in Swisher County was granted $66,771 to fund improvements to the Mackenzie Park Trail. The improvements will include a half mile of trail renovations and culverts.

The Fort Worth Mountain Bikers Association in Tarrant County was granted $27,502 to renovate and address erosion on the Marion Sansom Park mountain bike trail.

The city of Grapevine in Tarrant County was granted $200,000 toward the Wall-Farrar Trail to add 1.6 miles of granite and dirt trail, bridges, signs and shade shelter.

The city of Pflugerville in Travis County was awarded $172,500 to go toward the Gilleland Creek Trail. The grant will help fund a new .55 mile concrete trail, signs, benches and trash cans.

The Westcave Preserve Corp. in Travis County was awarded $70,192 to fund the Westcave Preserve Trails. The funds will be used toward the creation of a quarter mile of new ADA compliant trail, renovate a half mile of trail, an ATV and trailer, signs and tools.

The city of Canton in Van Zandt County was awarded $179,440 to fund improvements to the Mill Creek Lake Park Trail. The improvements will include a new 4.48 mile granite and dirt trail and signs.

The Greater Houston Off-Road Biking Association in Walker County was awarded $100,000 toward the Huntsville Trail Expansion project to construct a bridge to access a new trail area.

The city of Leander in Williamson County was awarded $56,000 for the creation of a new .4 mile granite trail and bridge to extend North Branch Brushy Creek Trail.

The city of Taylor in Williamson County was awarded $158,250 to fund the Taylor Cross Town Recreational Trail project that will add a new .5 mile concrete trail, renovate a .4 mile trail, add benches, and signs.

For more information about the grant awards or the recreation grant programs, see TPWD’s grants Web page, phone the Recreation Grants Branch at (512) 389-8224 or email: Rec.Grants@tpwd.texas.gov.

2013-05-23

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